Trekkers conquer the Lake District 5 Peaks for hospice

Posted on July 12, 2019

A group of 18 intrepid explorers have successfully trekked the Lake District’s Five Peaks to raise money for St Catherine’s Hospice.

During a sunny weekend at the end of June, the group swapped sunbathing for steps! Clocking up more than 40,000 steps each, as part of their challenge they scaled Scafell Pike, the highest peak in England. They also took on and conquered Rossetts Pike, Allen Craggs, Ills Crag and Goodend Peak.

And their amazing efforts have been rewarded as they are on track to raise an incredible £16,000 for their local hospice.

Amongst the walkers was Caroline Collins, who is also a nurse at St Catherine’s. She said: “I decided to take part in the 5 Peak Challenge to celebrate a milestone birthday. I wanted to celebrate how lucky I am to reach that milestone and be fit enough to take on a challenge like this, when many of the people I’ve cared for haven’t had this chance. The trek was the most physically and mentally difficult thing I’ve ever done. It was exhausting, but absolutely amazing!

“I’m so proud of completing it, but I couldn’t have done it without my fellow trekkers. They kept me going when I was flagging, and were a brilliant group of people to walk alongside.

“Whenever I felt like another summit may be too hard for me to climb, I thought about the struggles that the patients I care for have to face. That helped me get to the peak of every hilltop. I was doing it for them, and for other local people who may need our hospice in the future.”

Michaela Clements, Events Fundraiser at St Catherine’s, said: “I couldn’t be prouder of our Team STCH trekkers. Their determination in completing a challenging trek was inspiring. And the money they’ve raised will make a huge difference to others in their community when it’s needed most. At the moment, St Catherine’s can only help one in three people who need hospice care. But with the help of people like our Lake District trekkers, in the future, our hospice will be able to care for even more local terminally ill people at one of the most difficult times.”

If you’re inspired to take on a challenge to support your local hospice, or would like to make a donation, please visit: www.stch.org.uk